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Get closer to the this season by using Pulse while you watch the LIVE matches. Pulse asks you a range of questions relevant to the LIVE action as it unfolds. Your votes will be featured in the telecast in real-time and debated by the commentators, players and stars. If you've got a great question of your own, we'd love to hear it.

Bhatia relishes bigger role at RR

Rajasthan Royals have been one IPL team that has created more stars than they have bought. They have proved that if given the right role, responsibility and freedom, a fringe player can turn into a match-winner.

When RR bought Rajat Bhatia at the 2014 Player Auction, he was told that he is expected to shoulder all the responsibility that a senior player in any team would. He would have to guide the youngsters and create match-winning plays on the field.

Bhatia did it in his first match in the Royals colours. With his modest off-cutter and slower one, Bhatia dismissed SRH’s two most dangerous batsmen – Shikhar Dhawan (38) and David Warner (32) – to break a potentially dangerous partnership. As a result, the Royals were chasing an equally modest 133. Then, when his team faltered against the Sunrisers’ incredibly strong bowling attack, Bhatia whipped Dale Steyn over midwicket to score a crucial boundary in the 19th over.

Having helped his side register their first win in Pepsi IPL 2014, Bhatia spoke to iplt20.com about his new role in the new team. The veteran Delhi all-rounder was forthright in admitting his limitations and told us how he strived to achieve success while playing within them.

Here are excerpts from his interview:

The slower ones continue to do the trick for you, don’t they?

To be honest, I know I am not someone who can bowl at 140 or even 130 kph. So, in order to play to my strength, I ensure that the batsman has to use his power to score boundaries rather than me giving him the pace to hit me.

Does the ploy of bowling the slower ones and cutters work particularly well against attacking batsmen?

Rather than bowling to the batsman, I bowl to the situation. I try to assess what the batsman wants at that time and try not to give it to him. I try to give him the ball he doesn’t want in order to block the shot he wants to play. That’s what I have been doing and I have dismissed some big batsmen. That gives me further confidence to continue with my plan.

Which wicket did you enjoy more – that of your Delhi mate or of the Aussie powerhouse?

To be very honest, Shikhar’s wicket was very important for us. I got him once during his first few games with the Sunrisers and I was really pleased to get him today.

How is your role different with RR than it was at KKR?

I have to shoulder more responsibility here. I want to make sure that besides my bowling, whenever I get a chance to bat, I utilise it and contribute substantially. That’s what I tried to do today and I got that boundary at a crucial juncture. These are the small things which if you keep doing, the match will be in your favour.

You and Stuart Binny are two key players for RR as all-rounders. Do you indulge in many discussions about your respective games and your roles in the team?

Stuart is a power-hitter and a very good all-rounder. He has just started to play for the country as well and there are many things I can learn from him. If there is anything he can learn from me, I would be happy to oblige.

Your years of experience playing in the Indian domestic circuit gives you immense knowledge about the Indian boys and conditions. How much of a role do you play in the leadership group?

Rahul (Dravid) bhai told me from the beginning that I have to play the role of the senior and experienced player in this team. I have played all the seasons of the IPL and know some stuff about the Indian players. He told me it was my responsibility to guide the young Indian players in the team and I am trying to do my best in passing on to them whatever I know. As for me, I keep learning from Rahul bhai – he is a great man – and I am sure at the end of this IPL, I will be a different player.

Want Sehwag’s courage of conviction: Miller

As his team underwent a substantial overhaul at the 2014 IPL Player Auction, David Miller remained one of the very few constants in the Kings XI Punjab camp. The young South African was often the lone warrior of KXIP in the last IPL as they lacked depth in batting firepower.

However, in the first match of this IPL season, Miller was more than happy to play second fiddle with a fine unbeaten 54 off 37 balls, as Glenn Maxwell (95 off 43 balls) inspired the team to an exhilarating and incredible win over CSK, chasing down a mammoth 205.

In a chat with iplt20.com, Miller was all smiles as he excitedly spoke about his new team-mates. He enthused when talking about sharing the dressing room with Virender Sehwag and told us what he wants to learn from the Nawab of Najafgarh.

Here are excerpts from his interview:

Perfect start to the new season?

Oh, yes! It was a huge target, but the way Maxwell played was unbelievable. It was thrilling to watch.

As one of the very few constants in the team, how have you reacted with all the changes around you?

It has been a big change from the last year. Many new players have come in and we also have a new captain. We have gotten to know each other and will come closer as time goes. It is very exciting to have the new guys to share the dressing room with.

There is a whole bunch of young cricketers in that change room in you, Maxwell, Marsh, Pujara, etc. Does having so many likeminded youngsters help bond the team better?

I think so. They say that youth brings fearlessness and enterprising qualities into a team. I think we saw a glimpse of that in the way we pulled off the tough chase. It is easier to bond with guys your age, but having said that, we also have players like Sehwag and Bailey, who bring knowledge and experience with them.

Talking of Sehwag, have you had the chance of picking his brain yet?

I am doing it gradually. He has been one of my heroes and there’s so much one can learn from him. One thing I would really like to imbibe from him is his courage of conviction. Over the years, he has been so consistent with the way he approaches his game and prepares for it. He has such strong self-belief that it doesn’t matter what anyone says about his game. He has achieved greatness on his own terms.